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Dakota Soifer: Gross Reservoir expansion a horrible project

Posted:
03/09/2018 07:15:15 PM MST

I want to thank Charlie Brennan for his article last week about Denver Water's proposed expansion of Gross Dam and Reservoir ("Comment period extended," Daily Camera, March 1). As an involved Boulder community member (small business owner and chair of The Hill Boulder nonprofit) and a resident living close to Gross Reservoir, I am stunned that so little attention is being paid to this horrible proposed project. Boulder city and Boulder County residents should be furious and demand that our elected representatives act immediately to protect our community. Increasing the height of the Gross Reservoir Dam by 131 feet, requiring tens of thousands of tons of cement poured across South Boulder Creek, is a frightening prospect. Do Boulder citizens find the large-scale use of explosives (for an on-site quarry) over five to seven years acceptable?

Everything about Denver Water's proposition is contrary to what our community believes in. Think of the current, very serious, efforts to municipalize Boulder's energy production — all eyes are on Boulder and its leadership in controlling its contribution to climate change. The same goes for water conservation. We need to help Boulder lead, be courageous, be indignant, and set national precedent. Gross Reservoir must remain as is.

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These issues are some of the most concerning for my family and me:

• The large-scale use of explosives to blow up a nearby mountain for creating cement.

• Increased mercury levels in water and fish in the reservoir, exceeding health standards.

• Clear-cut of 600,000 trees, with use of "hydro-axing" and helicopter logging.

• Require helicopter staging and landing sites that would impact the neighborhood.

• Cause significant noise pollution from helicopters and other construction. Such untenable noise would impact resident wildlife including a raptor population.

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